Punjab is without a Lokpal since October 8, the day Justice Vinod Kumar Sharma retired from the post, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party saying that a replacement will be appointed soon and that it has “not been 15 days yet”. Wednesday was the 14th day since Justice Sharma relinquished the post on retirement.

Sources said there is a lack of consensus over Justice Sharma’s successor. A source said that a section AAP leaders want Justice (retd) Shabihul Hasnain of Allahabad High Court as the next Lokpal. He is currently the chairperson of Advisory Board on Prevention of Illicit Traffic Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Another group is pitching for Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul of Punjab and Haryana High Court for the post. Justice Kaul will be retiring later this year.

In Punjab, a

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